§ 62. Mr. Neil Macleanasked the Minister of Food what arrangements are being made by the Government to implement the long-term food policy foreshadowed in the King's Speech at the opening of the Session to ensure that after the present emergency caused by world shortages of food is over, adequate supplies of essential foods will be available at prices which the public can afford to pay and to fulfil our obligation to raise the standard of nutrition of the people, which we have entered into as members of the permanent Food and Agriculture Organisation.
§ Sir B. SmithWith the Speaker's permission I propose to make a short statement on this matter at the end of Question Time.
§ Later—
§ Sir B. SmithDuring the war the Government exercised control over the procurement, distribution and price of most foods. This was necessary to ensure that the supplies available were equitably shared by the whole community, and used to maintain the health and vigour of the people to the best advantage. The Ministry of Food which has been the Department responsible for carrying out this policy will continue as a separate and permanent Department of Government. So long as food shortages continue, the wartime system of food control and rationing must, in the main, be continued. The Government's long-term food policy, as was indicated in His Majesty's Speech at the opening of the Session, contemplates more positive measures than the mere elimination of shortages—necessary as that is. The Government accept the responsibility for ensuring that adequate supplies of food necessary to health are available to all members of the public at reasonable prices, and, in accordance with the recommendations of the United Nations' Conference on Food and Agriculture held at Hot Springs in 1943, the responsibility for raising the standard of nutrition of the people. While it will be the Government's objective to remove as rapidly as possible all controls which, with the passing of shortages of supply, labour and materials, operate merely as restrictions on consumers, traders and producers without contributing to a positive long-term food policy, they will retain and adapt those controls which are necessary to the carrying out of such a policy. In regard to all those foods which play an important part in the nation's diet, the Government will undertake such responsibility in respect of procurement, distribution and sale as is necessary to ensure that adequate supplies are available at reasonable prices, and to implement such international agreements on commercial and commodity policy as may be concluded. The interest of the consumer will be protected; provision will be made for the needs of special classes; the position of the home producer in producing the goods required by the nation from home sources will be safeguarded; the 1285 trader who renders the community a necessary service will receive a fair reward. It would be wrong to assume that there will be an automatic return to all the conditions which existed before the war. Subject to the general principles already indicated, the methods necessary for achieving the Government's long-term food policy will be considered in relation to each foodstuff and detailed plans will be worked out. Consultation with non-official interests will take place.